Journalists write "knowingly" on the situation in Israel without ever living here; without first hand knowledge of what it means to live in this tiny country in the midst of a rather unfriendly neighbourhood.
I write without vengeance, without hatred, just what I experience,the view from my veranda and the thoughts in my head.
My archive is available at www.lingomatics.com/Shabbatshalom/index.html

About Me

I am a freelance journalist living in Jerusalem. I strive to tell the truth as it is never seen in the media - the life of one Israeli trying to get along with everyone but not willing to deny her past nor her identity.

Friday, 8 December 2017

171208 Jerusalem

170812

8th
December 2017

Shabbat
Shalom everyone!

After
three days of rain and one clear statement by an American President Jerusalem
is looking beautiful.

If one
truly analyses President Trumps statement/declaration nothing has changed
except the paradigm. From the vote in Washington in 1995 the question of
Jerusalem has been carefully put on a back burner, pushed to one side every six
months by Presidents who were fearful of their position and world reaction,
this President decided that in a carefully worded, quietly presented statement,
he would change the paradigm.

Let's
just look at the situation logically, without emotion and without condemning
him just because he is Donald Trump. Just because he is "The Donald"
who isn't looking for political allies, he could make that statement.

Since
Saddam Hussein, horrific despot, was deposed; since Hosni Mubarak, slightly
less horrific but extremely effective dictator was deposed; since tyrannical
dictator Muammar Ghaddafi was deposed, the Middle East has fallen into total
chaos, as King Hussein of Jordan wisely predicted and warned. Libya has split
back into 400 warring tribes, Syria is in a state of hellfire, Yemen is beyond
saving, Iraq too although the Kurds are doing their best to control it, I could
go on and on and then we come to Iran. Iran – oh yes that has become the centre
of all evil since James Earl Carter decided it was not a democratic country and
the relatively benign Shah was exiled. The Western policies until now have not
worked.

Will
the statement bring peace or war? Peace is not a reality in this arena, the
fight must go on until ones religious pride is appeased. American flags and
pictures of President Trump are being burned and defecated on. The supposed
Israel/Palestinian conflict has been pushed forward by a world that doesn't
want to see the true life or death conflicts of this and the African battles.
Concentrating on Israel as the demon of the Middle East is convenient and
currently politically correct – after all Jews as the scapegoat is hardly a new
phenomena! Of course there will be riots – after all it makes good TV and will
fulfil the Palestinian leadership's desire for front page; of course the fact
that the President spoke of "two states for two people" was conveniently
ignored by the Palestinians who hang on to their victimship with fierce
conviction; of course people will die and be permanently scarred, not on the
scale of our neighbours who are killing each other without a moments thought;
Israel will be blamed again, but we will continue as before with tikkun olam.

President
Trump stated the obvious. King David chose this hilltop because he wanted to
unite the Jewish people. Until then we were 12 tribes, not a united whole, so
he chose a place that did not belong to any tribe and was easily defensible and
called it Jerusalem. He wrote beautiful poetry about it, each poem numbered and
sung by Jews and Christians around the world. 3,000 years have passed and for
2,000 year Jerusalem became a prayer after the Jews were exiled, enslaved and
spread all over the world. Here King Solomon built the Holy Temple, here the
Second Temple was built; the streets where Jesus walked and preached. Jerusalem
is Jewish, Jerusalem is Christian, Jerusalem is also Moslem. What is the
difference between Jerusalem under Jewish rule and Jerusalem under Moslem rule?
Under Moslem rule no other religion was free, under Jewish rule by definition
and by declaration all religions are free to practice their faith as they see
fit.

By
stating the obvious President Trump has changed the Paradigm – the model,
pattern, exemplar, example or archetype. He actually came out with the words
that others only say after leaving office. He changed the way the USA looks at
Israel – Israel is the country of the Jewish people and we have every right to
be there. President Trump also said that the argument is between us not for the
interference of others. That, perhaps is the most important statement of all.
Those of you who have known me for a long time will know that I have always
said that if other countries would just butt out of our business we could have
reached salaam if not sulcha. Perhaps it is time to take Sykes-Picot and undo
the infinite damage it created by splitting people and dividing countries.

For a
short while we were able to escape from the rampant corruption in local and
central government. It is exhausting and while desperately important to have
clean and transparent governance it makes the regular citizen wonder if he is
the only "frier" in town.

This
week it rained!! Glorious, big ploppy drops rain which refreshed the city,
indeed the country. The summer dust has settled, the trees and plants woke up
and breathed in the fresh air as we all did too!

Just
like half the people in the world we both have colds, but yesterday Rachel
Risby-Raz came for brunch. I so enjoy her company and was happy to discover
that she is now working as Ehud Olmert's private assistant, running his office
with great efficiency. I made Shakshuka which is my favourite breakfast,
totally Middle Eastern and delicious. Eggs poache din a delicious sauce of
tomatoes, onions, red peppers which have been cooked for ever. The only bad
thing about Shakshuka is that one needs bread to mop up the sauce!!! We spoke
of wonderful friends we have in common, of Ehud who we all love, of the current
police investigations and of who is behind it all – no I am not going to tell
you but this man is super powerful and very proud of the case he
"worked" to bring Ehud down. You will read it all in the book that is
about to come out!!!

I went
with Rachel to Netanya to see Valerie and Martin before they left for Britain. There
is nothing quite like the friendship of someone who knows everything about you
and only wishes you well. Rachel loves her Auntie Val and Uncle Martin!!! After
Netanya we were in Bnei Brak, a firmly Haredi town, it is very different to Mea
Shearim. People in Bnei Brak work, are less radical – or it's just the impression
I got. Everyone we met was kind and open – and I wore trousers!!!

This
morning we are off to Tel Aviv to the home of our friends Lea and Yehuda
Ressler to wish Lea a very happy 70th birthday – 70+ is a club I am
thrilled to belong to and welcome any friend who joins us!!!

Before
I give you some songs of Shabbat and peace I want to take the opportunity to
extend my deepest condolences to my sister in law Sandie who has taken care of
her Mother for years with devotion rarely seen. Sandies Mother passed away two
days ago and my heart goes out to Sandie, Ronnie, Sophie, Adam and Deborah. May
her soul finally rest in peace.